Ethiopian Israelis rally against 'police racism'
Jerusalem, 1 May - (ANA) - Clashes have broken out in Jerusalem as more than 1,000 Ethiopian Israelis staged a protest, demanding an investigation into alleged police racism and violence. At least 13 people were injured and two police officers and five protesters were taken to hospital, the Magen David Adom ambulance service said after protests on Thursday. Police said the crowd hurled stones and bottles, with police using anti-riot measures to keep them at bay, including tear gas and stun grenades. The protests reportedly started outside the city's police headquarters with demonstrators blocking off one of the city's main traffic arteries and the light rail service. Protesters waved banners reading: "Stop police brutality, stop racism" and "Today it's him, tomorrow it's you!" They then marched towards the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where they also blocked the road before being stopped by a large number of police equipped with water cannon. "Enough of racism!" they chanted, some of them waving Israeli flags, others holding up the Ethiopian flag. "In Europe they kill Jews because they're Jews, here they kill Jews for being black," read one placard. Jerusalem police chief Chico Edri said the police were aware of the "stormy emotions" gripping the Ethiopian community but called for everyone to act "with restraint". The protest was sparked by a series of incidents involving alleged racism and police brutality against members of the Ethiopian Jewish community. Earlier this week, footage emerged of two police officers violently beating an Ethiopian soldier in uniform, sparking a wave of anger within the community. More than 120,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel, having immigrated to the country in two waves in 1984 and 1991. (ANA)

FA/ANA/1 May 2015---------